Dr. George Pedersen‘s career in public education has spanned 49 years. He has been president of Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Western Ontario; interim president of the University of Northern British Columbia; and founding president of Royal Roads University.

In 1998, Pedersen became the chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia, a position he currently holds. He has also been active in community, provincial, national and international organizations. Pedersen served twice on the executive of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and twice as vice-president (Canada) for the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education.

Pedersen was appointed an officer in the Order of Canada in 1993 and appointed to the Order of Ontario in 1994.